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A Mathematical Model of the Carbon Arc Reactor for Fullerene Synthesis

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Abstract

A mathematical model of the carbon arc process for the synthesis of fullerenes (C 60 , C 70 ) is developed. The two-dimensional model solves for the velocities, temperature, and total concentration of carbon species. The net emission coefficient method is used for the radiation term. The carbon species conservation equations consider the evaporation of carbon from the anode, cathode surface deposition, and carbon condensation. The thermodynamic and transport properties are calculated as a function of temperature and carbon mass fraction, using the method of Chapman–Enskog. Erosion rates used by the model are determined experimentally. Calculated fields of the velocities, temperatures, carbon mass fraction and current intensity are presented. Comparison is made of the behavior of the arc at 1 and 4 mm interelectrode gaps, and between operation in argon and in helium. The results of simulations provide a justification for the higher yields observed in helium compared to the argon case.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Physique des Plasmas et Applications de Toulouse (CPAT), ESA 5002, Université Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, F31062, Toulouse Cedex, France

    Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Jérôme Pousse & Alain Gleizes

  2. Presently at CRDA, Alcan International Ltée, Jonquière, Québec, G7S 4K8, Canada

    Jean-Francois Bilodeau

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  1. Jean-Francois Bilodeau
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  2. Jérôme Pousse
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Bilodeau, JF., Pousse, J. & Gleizes, A. A Mathematical Model of the Carbon Arc Reactor for Fullerene Synthesis. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing 18, 285–303 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021658717860

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